Elar Auto Review I'm baffled at how this place manages to keep any customers given their lack of professionalism and communication. I got into a car accident in December of 2022. A hit and run involving a semi that nearly got me killed. My car obviously needed to be towed. I called several places describing the state of my vehicle. Elar was one of the local places that could take my car in and get it looked at. Upon arrival and after speaking to Barry, the manager, they said with the utmost confidence it could be fixed and wouldn't need to be totaled. Because of the upcoming holiday they would need to have it fixed after the new year, which I'm fine with. It was in really bad shape, of course I had no choice. Come the new year and I'm told they have to order the parts. Soon enough February comes and they're telling me they still are waiting on parts. Then it's March and it's the same. April, May, June, July come and I'm told the same thing. All while I'm still paying the loan on my car AND paying for a rental. My complimentary rental through my insurance capped out in February so I'm paying upwards of $1200 a month just to get from point A to point B on a regular basis. It wasn't until SEPTEMBER that State Farm got involved and asked me why the car hasn't been fixed yet, and I said "hey your guess is as good as mine." I kept going to Elar to see if there's an update and Barry just kept shrugging me off and coming up with a nonsense lie every time. That's when State Farm decided to move my car from that body shop to a different one. Within a day that other body shop immediately quoted State Farm and they decided it was totaled. I waited from December of 2022 to September of 2023 for them to tell me my car was totaled. Months of wondering the outcome and scrambling to find a solution. Spending thousands of dollars. In the end Barry didn't even offer an apology for his negligence and lack of professionalism. I strongly encourage people to avoid this place at all possible cost. Their lack of empathy and consideration will cost you more than just financially. read more

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AMAZING service! The owner Barry is one of the nicest guys ever! I always leave knowing I got a fair price and a 5 star repair. I have referred friends and family to Elar and they all feel the same. He makes everything so easy. -Nicole K. read more

Over the years I've had the most fortunate experience of dealing with Barry for my cars when they needed auto body work, and on every occasion he and his crew have been nothing short of "exceptional". His quotes are always competitive, but what keeps me coming back is the shear quality and craftsmanship of his team. I don't think you will find another shop that is better. His shop replaced a stolen catalytic convert in my last visit and prior to that he repaired a rear side panel on my 2012 Hyundai Veracruz. If I could rate him 10 stars I would!!! Thanks Barry read more

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The most amazing experience with these guys!!! My car was vandalized by the KIA/Hyundai Boys! No success in stealing it! Thank God! But the steering column was destroyed! These guys had me back rolling in no time!!! Ms. Lawson read more

10 +++ Stars.  Barry is the best; not only is he honest, but he is an expert. I went to Barry's shop on 8/9/21 for an estimate after another shop provided an estimate that I knew was not right or honest; they tried to scam me out of money and do work on my car that was not necessary.  However, when Barry looked at my car, he knew exactly what was needed and he took care of everything and even told me to come back the next morning to complete the job.  I went back to the shop this morning (8/10/21) and Barry's team completed the job and my car looks perfect.  I am forever grateful for Barry and his team's amazing service and especially thankful for Barry's honesty and expertise. Because of this amazing experience, I would highly recommend Barry's shop to anyone who needs auto body work. Barry and his team will take care of your car and you will be in good hands. Thank you very much Barry; you and your team are a blessing. I hope you, your team and your families have an amazing summer and a prosperous 2021. #TopNotchService read more

I got into an accident last week and I got my car returned to me today. From the moment I first called to the moment I picked it up they kept me in the loop and got my car back to me super quick. I had a great experience with this shop, they're reliable and the customer service was impeccable, I saw my car parked and I thought it looked better than ever. read more

Poor customer service. It's all about their schedule and not the customers. Firstly, my car was a quick fix. Due to the nature of my job I'm frequently on business trips. I called, rescheduled had my loaner lined up again. On the day I got back from my trip, I Brought my car in on a the day they mentioned over the phone. I appeared, didn't know I was coming and told me to come back. Without even considering the inconvenience it places on customers and the fact that I work too, was told to bring it back to the shop at a day convenient to them. I had to cancel the loaner, call insurance. More work than necessary for a quick fix, so off to a different auto body shop. read more

Ooops. A few summers ago, I got rear-ended. I took my car to Elar and didn't have a problem getting it repaired. I think the only thing was it was delayed by a day. I thought it was in pretty good shape. They just replaced my bumper. Tonight, I went for an estimate on repairs as someone else rear-ended my car earlier this month. The at-fault party is paying for the repairs out-of-pocket. Barry took a look at my bumper and said, "Whoever did this the last time didn't do a good job." I bit my tongue. He then gave me an estimate that was $80 above what Progressive's service center quoted. He said his was higher because he would use guaranteed parts and add a tint, or something. Total cost was $715. He wrote my estimate on the back of a business card. Um, really? Not professional. So I'm going to let Progressive's shop repair my car. I hope the other driver appreciates this. read more

This place is great! I feel very confident every time we have taken our car to this body shop for work to be done. They are honest and their prices are fair. I cannot recommend them enough ~ we won't go anywhere else for body work. read more

Job still looks great, perfect. I've used them for another paint job (my wife is death on a car...gotta say) and that one looks great as well. read more

Elar Auto Rebuilder Inc, is the best in the business. In fact the best in the city of Chicago! This world is going through a very difficult time, health, financial, etc.... is not stopping Elar his business is still open and ready for business waiting for you and all your auto rebuilding needs. Elar take a wide variety of insurance claims, and in some cases he does next day deliveries. If your car needed body work Elar is the place and the man you need to see, he has been there for me with everyone of my vehicles. Call him today! read more

Absolutely the best premier experience I've had dealing with a body shop...Barry took great care of me....communication was impeccable...overall great customer service...did a awesome job on my Mercedes....I wouldn't go anywhere else..... I'm over satisfied... they even cleaned my car.. down to the old Tupperware I had in the backseat....absolute professionals A1 top quality work..... Thanks to the Elar auto body shop for their great work and outstanding customer service... read more

Elar Auto Const - Rear driver fender was dented... looks like it's never seen an accident - Body Shops Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I used to call on garages for an auto-technical service repair techs use. I know what I'm looking for in a professionally run shop. Barry is an old-school do-it-right guy. THEY DID (do it right)! Had an unfortunate crash 400 miles from our White Bear Lake, MN home. He took extra care to be sure we wouldn't need to bring it back. The finish was like new, detailing exceptional. They care about doing top-notch work. Other cars there; Porshes, BMW's, Hemi-Chargers looked as good as our 2014 Jeep Cherokee. A pleasant surprise to be treated so well, especially so far from home. read more

Great repairs & excellent service! My experiences have been at the S Canalport location- Accidentally posted comment for the S State location----but they are both owned by Barry-who bends over backwards to make you happy. As far as the one star at S Canalport- If there were any delays-I was always called. Sometimes the parts aren't there--and Barry won't release the car unless the repairs are done right. As a matter of fact I was referred by a friend who had his Lamborghini & Porsche repaired there. I have had several repairs there over the course of my cars. Had several expensive sports cars done--and you'd swear they just came off the dealer's floor. I read the 2 stars ( South State location) and disagree. Like any business they want to make sure they get paid for a job well done. If the insurance company agrees to pay them--then why would you want the check? Insurance never pays unless the repairs are done & you are happy. I have a business & my experience has been that when the client gets the check---you need to chase the client. Sorry-I just tell it like it is. PS- Bad news-my wife's car is now there. Good news-they didn't try to scam me like the dealer recommended shop. read more

This review is long overdue. I've known Barry for many years and each time he has done tremendous work. He even guarantees the work he does. My radiator had been replaced because of an accident and a few years later I had issues with it. I called Barry and he replaced my radiator without hesitation. He's knowledgeable and hardworking and the work that Elar does shows. I would highly recommend him in a heartbeat. read more

another week, still not fixed. made appts twice only to be sent away both times when "the right person" wasnt there.

This place is terrible. They told me I'd be charged extra if I didn't put enough gas in the tank so I made SURE I returned my uhaul truck with enough. I went 12 miles and put in $17 worth of gas. Somehow that in their "advanced system" registers as not enough gas and they charged me extra. What a bunch of lying scum. Don't use them. read more

great experiance. barry was as helpful and as professional as i could hope for. i was recommended to elar by my insurance company. upon arrival they explained everything to me from the rental(of which they were going to drive me to the location to save time) to the repair procedures and how long it would take. they updated me regularly and the car was actually finished before the quoted date and the repairs were immaculate. not only had they done a remarkable job fixing my heavily damaged car which they backed with a lifetime warranty, but the car was also spotless inside and out. i would recommend them to anybody interested in getting repairs done by a shop that not only caters to the customer, but whose work is top notch, honest and trustworthy. read more